COVER FEATURE: It is that time of year again when manufactures release their latest gear, tech and bikes. We cover all the basis and keep you in the loop

WHAT’S NEW FOR 2021

NEW BIKES: AGGRO XC, GRAVEL & HARDTAILS The phrase “down country bike” has become more apparent globally and at last South Africans can sample some of the best modern cross country (XC) bikes available. This year was supposed to be the Tokyo Olympics and every major global brand has a big launch planned with their new bikes. Back to down country - according to our research and understanding this is the new norm when it comes to cross-country bikes. It boils down to the usually aggressive 100mm cross-country with more travel, more reach, and more capabilities.

Cross Country bikes are bread and butter in SA and everyone wants to ride and be seen on one. One of the biggest brands in SA, Specialized, launched their revolutionary new Epic and Epic Evo. I say revolutionary because that is exactly what the new bikes are. Slack, longer reach, lighter, more travel and comfort are some of the headline features. Their new Epic Evo is a 120mm down country XC bike with a scarcely believable 66.5* head angle. This sort of head angle was reserved for full blown trail bikes just one year ago! Oh and a new rear linkage and “no brain” are significant changes to the Evo.

Trail hardtails are making a massive comeback too. Luckily these are not the sketchy XC hardtails we’re used to but rather (once more) hugely capable trail shredders. Brands like Giant, Merida, GT and Yeti are some to usher in a new era of modern slack hardtails – built to keep up with their more expensive full suspension counterparts. For 2021 Giant’s new Fathom 29 is a prime example of a 66* head angle, a 130mm bike perfect for your local trails.

SPECIALIZED EPIC EXPERT

MERIDA BIG.TRAIL

SPECIALIZED EPIC EVO

GIANT FATHOM 29 1

Gravel is continuing to boom with more riders opting for a capable gravel bike to scratch the road bike itch. Locally Titan Racing has a solid line-up of affordable carbon gravel bikes. Their Switch bike has big tyre clearance, space for multiple bottle cages and looks stunning in black. Slap a pair of road tyres on and you can smash the Cape Town Cycle Tour.

E-bikes - not enough can be said about e-bikes really. They have taken the market by storm and have flown off the shelves. Saffers have really embraced the new dimension e-bikes have brought to the market. The bikes are looking sleeker and much more stylish than they ever were. Integrated batteries are almost a given now, better batteries and more efficient motors are all the order of the day. Except for the slight engine noise and stupid look of badly disguised pleasure (predominantly as a result of passing some skinny dude up the steepest inclines) it is sometime difficult to even spot the “lazy-boys” of the trails. The capabilities of the bikes are also hugely improved with the e-bikes available across the spectrum of xco, trail and gravity rigs – think of how dirt motorbikes handle and jump – well this is quite easily achieved on the pedal-assist mtb bikes.

There are both hardtail and full sus models in the e-bike category and depending on what type of riding you do the hardtail options are well priced and more than adequate for most people’s off-road needs. Brands to look out for are the Trek Rail, the Giant Talon and Trance, Scott Aspect and Strike, Specialized Levo, Cannondale and Habit Neo.

TITAN SWITCH ELITE

TREK RAIL 7 GIANT TALON E+ 29 3

SCOTT ASPECT 920

GROUPSETS

For too long the man on the street could not enjoy the deliciousness of the new generation 12-speed groupsets. For 2021 that too has changed with ultraaffordable new 12-speed Shimano and SRAM groupsets. You can upgrade your current 11 speed setup to a new smooth 12-speed for roughly R5 000. Two years ago, this would’ve been closer to R7 000. We are big fans of 12-speed groupsets for their ability to declutter your handlebar and enable you to traverse the steepest of climbs. We suspect the same trend will trickle down to the new e-groupsets which would hopefully make them more affordable in a couple of years.

HELMETS

Like the helmet being reviewed on page (?) in this issue the added safety features of MIPS are well documented. Thankfully more mainstream helmets like the Bell Nomad, Lazer Beam and Scott Groove can all be had for less than R1 000 with integrated MIPS as standard. APPAREL

Summer is coming up and we’re excited to ride with less layers and soak up some good old free Vitamin-D. Some fresh new cycling kit is always welcome and in SA we’re spoilt by great local brands. Vye Cycle is based in Cape Town and they have solid options at affordable prices to suit your budget. We dig their range of trail short (for those anti-lycra lovers).

Constantly improving and adding new funky designs is Ciovita. For the ladies they have some stunning new floral and pastel colour riding shirts. Light, breathable and sizing to suit every body type is available. The Paradiso and Tinta ranges will ensure you’ll be seen during your next ride.

COMPONENTS

We’ve mentioned the advancement of a venerable 12-speed groupset in the mountain bike sphere, but brands are already nearing the completion of 13-speed groupsets. A quick Google search will tell you that a Chinese company is selling their S-Ride 13-speed as we speak. Adjustability, integrated and affordable is what they are after. Rotor Bike Components has also joined the party with their more premium 13-speed and if money was no option we would’ve ordered it by now.

Corona has certainly slowed the entire industry, but no end is in sight when it comes to progress. We predict giant leaps within the e-bike hardware industry. Shimano has released their brand new EP8 motor system which promises more power, more range, more compact layout and even less weight.

Only a few years ago we were all satisfied by small, lightweight two piston brakes. Four piston brakes where reserved for gnarlier enduro-type rigs but safe and reliable stopping power is now available for the masses. The ever-present Shimano SLX now offers a solid four piston option at an affordable price. You can fit them to your XC, trail or even enduro bike and as you know they’ll last a lifetime and offer unbeatable stopping power.